Craftsman 917.37459 - Manual (Page 9)

OPERATION
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
A
CAUTfON: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plate in place and door
closed or without an approved clipping
deflector or grasscatcher in place.
Never attempt to operate the lawn
mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.
ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 5)
The engine speed is controlled by a lever located on the
side of the engine. Fast (%) position is for starting the
engine, normal cutting, and better grass bagging. Slow
( position is for light cutting, trimming and fuel economy.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
A
CAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed on this
lawn mower in order to minimize the
risk of blade contact injury. Do not
under any circumstances attempt to
defeat the function of the operator con­
trol. The blade turns when the engine is
running.
® Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator pres­
ence control bar which requires the operator to be
positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start and
operate the lawn mower.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 6)
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut.
® Wheels are set in low cut for shipping. Adjust cutting
height to suit your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.
® To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to­
ward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your
requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same
setting.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 7)
- To remove grass catcher, release operator presence
control bar to stop engine,
- Lift up rear door and remove the grass catcher by the
handle.
® Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause
unnecessary wear.
DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator
presence control bar down to the handle and pushing
the drive control lever forward until it clicks; then
release the ¡ever.
• Forward motion will stop when the operator presence
control bar is released. To stop forward motion without
stopping engine, release the operator presence con­
trol bar slightly until the drive control disengages. Hold
operator presence control bar down to handle to con­
tinue mowing without self-propelling.
® To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,
push down on handle and lift front wheels off ground
while turning lawn mower.